Visa Types — Ireland

Ireland Visa & Immigration Categories

*Note: Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and operates its own visa system through the Department of Justice (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS) and employment permits through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Fees and processing times below reflect approximate 2024 figures and should be verified at irishimmigration.ie and enterprise.gov.ie, as they change periodically. USD conversions use an approximate rate of €1 = $1.08 and will fluctuate with exchange rates.*

Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP)

Who it's for: Highly skilled non-EEA workers in occupations on Ireland's Highly Skilled Occupations List (IT, engineering, science, healthcare, etc.)

Key eligibility requirements:

• Job offer for a minimum 2-year contract
• Salary of at least €38,000/year (for eligible occupations on the list), or €64,000+ for other qualifying roles
• Relevant degree qualification or equivalent professional experience
• Occupation must not be on the Ineligible Occupations List

Processing time: 4–12 weeks (Trusted Partner employers often faster; standard applications can take longer during peak periods)

Cost:

• €1,000 (permits of 6+ months) / €500 (permits under 6 months) — ≈ $1,080 / $540 USD
• Separate visa fee if required: €60 (single-entry) / €100 (multi-entry) — ≈ $65 / $108 USD

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General Employment Permit (GEP)

Who it's for: Non-EEA workers filling roles not on the Highly Skilled list but where no suitable EEA candidate is available

Key eligibility requirements:

• Job offer with minimum annual salary of €34,000 (as of 2024; increasing incrementally)
• Labour Market Needs Test required (job must be advertised in Ireland/EEA for at least 2 weeks) unless exempt
• Occupation not on the Ineligible List
• At least 50% of employer's workforce must be EEA nationals (some exceptions)

Processing time: 8–16 weeks (subject to backlogs)

Cost:

• €1,000 (6+ months) / €500 (under 6 months) — ≈ $1,080 / $540 USD
• Renewal: €750 (up to 2 years) / €1,500 (2–3 years) — ≈ $810 / $1,620 USD

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Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit (ICT)

Who it's for: Senior managers, key personnel, or trainees being transferred from an overseas branch to an Irish branch/subsidiary of the same multinational company

Key eligibility requirements:

• Employed by the foreign entity for at least 6 months (12 months for trainees) prior to transfer
• Minimum salary: €40,000/year (€30,000 for trainees)
• Assignment must be temporary (up to 5 years max for senior staff, 1 year for trainees)

Processing time: 4–12 weeks

Cost:

• €1,000 — ≈ $1,080 USD
• Renewal fees similar to GEP (€750–€1,500)

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Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Who it's for: Non-EEA entrepreneurs seeking to establish an innovative, high-potential startup in Ireland

Key eligibility requirements:

• Innovative business concept, generally in a scalable/technology-driven sector
• Minimum funding of €50,000 (self-funded, investor-backed, or a combination)
• Business plan demonstrating job creation potential and viability
• Approval from Enterprise Ireland or evaluation committee

Processing time: 8–12 weeks after application submission

Cost:

• No specific government program fee, but standard visa fee applies if visa-required: €60–€100 — ≈ $65–$108 USD
• Applicant must show proof of the €50,000 investment

*(Note: This program has seen policy reviews; confirm current status and criteria directly with the Department of Justice.)*

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Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) — CLOSED

Status: Ireland formally closed the IIP to new applicants in February 2023. It previously allowed investment-based residency (minimum €1 million investment) but is no longer accepting applications. Included for reference only — do not rely on this route; verify current alternatives with the Department of Justice.

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Long Stay 'D' Visa – Join Family Member

Who it's for: Non-EEA spouses, civil partners, de facto partners, and dependent children joining a family member who is an Irish citizen, EU/EEA national, or Stamp 4 holder legally resident in Ireland

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of relationship (marriage/civil partnership certificate, or evidence of de facto relationship for 2+ years)
• Sponsor must show sufficient income/means to support the family member (income thresholds assessed case-by-case, general guideline around €40,000+/year for sponsor if not an Irish/EU citizen)
• Medical insurance coverage
• Police clearance certificates (in some cases)

Processing time: 6–12 months (family reunification cases can take longer depending on volume and complexity)

Cost:

• Visa fee: €60 (single-entry) / €100 (multi-entry) — ≈ $65 / $108 USD
• Spouses/children of Irish citizens: often fee waived

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Working Holiday Authorisation

Who it's for: Young people (typically 18–30, up to 35 for some countries) from countries with a bilateral Working Holiday Agreement with Ireland (e.g., US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, etc.)

Key eligibility requirements:

• Must be a citizen of a country with a reciprocal agreement
• Age limits vary by agreement (18–30 or 18–35)
• Proof of funds (typically €4,000+ depending on nationality)
• No dependent children accompanying
• Valid for single stay, non-renewable

Processing time: 4–8 weeks

Cost:

• Visa fee (if required, varies by country): €60–€100 — **≈ $65–$108 USD## Study Visa (Long Stay 'D' Visa – Education)

Who it's for: Non-EEA nationals enrolling in full-time courses at Irish universities, colleges, or language schools (courses of 3+ months duration)

Key eligibility requirements:

• Acceptance letter from a recognized Irish educational institution on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP)
• Proof of course fees paid (or substantial deposit)
• Proof of funds: minimum €10,000 available for living expenses (in addition to fees)
• Private medical insurance for the duration of stay
• Evidence of academic ability to follow the course (English language proficiency, if applicable)

Processing time: 4–8 weeks (longer during peak enrollment periods, July–September)

Cost:

• Visa fee: €60 (single-entry) / €100 (multi-entry) — ≈ $65 / $108 USD
• Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration fee: €300 — ≈ $324 USD

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Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)

Who it's for: Non-EEA students who have completed a qualifying degree (Level 8) or postgraduate qualification (Level 9/10) in Ireland and wish to remain to seek employment or apply for an employment permit

Key eligibility requirements:

• Must have graduated from an eligible Irish institution with a qualifying award
• Application made within specified timeframe after conferral (typically within a few months of results)
• Valid immigration status at time of application (previously on Stamp 2 student permission)

Processing time: 2–4 weeks (processed via IRP renewal at local registration office)

Cost:

• Stamp 1G permission: €300 (IRP registration/renewal fee) — ≈ $324 USD
• Duration: 12 months (Level 8 degree) or 24 months (Level 9+ masters/PhD)

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Reactivation Employment Permit

Who it's for: Non-EEA workers who previously held a valid employment permit in Ireland but fell out of permission (e.g., due to employer exploitation, permit lapse) and wish to re-enter the workforce

Key eligibility requirements:

• Previously held a valid employment permit and resided legally in Ireland
• Must not have been out of permission for extended period (case-by-case assessment)
• New job offer meeting minimum salary threshold (varies by role, generally €30,000+)

Processing time: 8–12 weeks

Cost:

• €500 — ≈ $540 USD

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Contract for Services Employment Permit

Who it's for: Non-EEA employees of an overseas company contracted to provide services to an Irish company, where the employee is not directly employed by the Irish entity

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid contract between the foreign employer and the Irish contracting company
• Minimum annual remuneration of €30,000 (some sector exceptions apply)
• Employee must be employed by the foreign contractor for at least 6 months prior
• Permit tied to the specific contract duration

Processing time: 8–12 weeks

Cost:

• €1,000 (or €500 for permits under 6 months) — ≈ $1,080 / $540 USD

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Sport and Cultural Employment Permit

Who it's for: Non-EEA professional athletes, coaches, and workers in the cultural/arts sector employed by Irish sporting or cultural organizations

Key eligibility requirements:

• Employment offer from a recognized Irish sporting body, club, or cultural institution
• Salary/remuneration package appropriate to the role (no fixed statutory minimum, assessed case-by-case)
• Evidence of professional standing (e.g., professional athlete contracts, coaching credentials)

Processing time: 6–10 weeks

Cost:

• €1,000 (6+ months) / €500 (under 6 months) — ≈ $1,080 / $540 USD

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Stamp 0 – Person of Independent Means / Retirement

Who it's for: Non-EEA nationals (typically retirees or financially self-sufficient individuals) who wish to reside in Ireland without working, and are not immediate family of an Irish/EU citizen

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of substantial financial means: minimum €50,000/year in guaranteed income (higher for families)
• Private medical insurance covering the full stay
• No entitlement to work or access public funds
• Must not become a burden on the State
• Renewable annually, contingent on continued financial self-sufficiency

Processing time: 8–12 weeks

Cost:

• Visa fee (if required): €60–€100 — ≈ $65–$108 USD
• IRP registration: €300/year — ≈ $324 USD

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De Facto Partner / Spouse of Irish Citizen (Stamp 4)

Who it's for: Non-EEA spouses, civil partners, or long-term de facto partners of Irish citizens seeking residency rights with full work access

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid marriage/civil partnership certificate, or 2+ years of cohabitation evidence for de facto partners
• Sponsor must be an Irish citizen residing in Ireland (or returning to reside)
• Evidence of genuine and subsisting relationship (joint finances, correspondence, photos, etc.)
• Garda vetting/police clearance may be requested

Processing time: 6–12 months for initial approval; Stamp 4 issued upon relocation

Cost:

• Visa fee (if applicable): €60–€100 — ≈ $65–$108 USD
• IRP registration: €300 — ≈ $324 USD
• Often fee-waived for spouses of Irish citizens

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Naturalisation (Irish Citizenship by Residency)

Who it's for: Non-EEA nationals who have accumulated sufficient reckonable residency in Ireland and wish to become Irish citizens

Key eligibility requirements:

• 5 years reckonable residency out of the preceding 9 years (with the final 12 months being continuous), or 3 years for spouses of Irish citizens
• Good character (no significant criminal record)
• Intention to continue residing in Ireland
• Proof of residency via IRP cards/stamps for the qualifying period

Processing time: 12–24 months (historically longer due to backlogs; some cases exceed 2 years)

Cost:

• Application fee: €175 — ≈ $189 USD
• Certificate of Naturalisation fee: €950 (€200 for widow/er or minor applicants) — ≈ $1,026 USD

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*As with all figures in this guide, processing times and fees are subject to frequent change based on government policy updates, application volumes, and exchange rate fluctuations. Always confirm current details via irishimmigration.ie, enterprise.gov.ie, and citizensinformation.ie before applying.*

More about immigrating to Ireland